ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. [Via Brindisi.] [FROM THE AUCKLAND "STAR'S" LONDON CORRESPONDENT.] London, July 25.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 67, 13 September 1884, Page 3

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. [Via Brindisi.] [FROM THE AUCKLAND "STAR'S" LONDON CORRESPONDENT.] London, July 25.

Porsonal Notes. Herr Hociistjktter, the eminent geologist andscientifictraveller,whoserecentdiscoveries in the South Island of New Zealand have been so greatly appreciated, died at Doebling, near Vienna, on the 17th July. Details of the circumstances attending hig sudden and unexpected decease are not to hand yet. It will be remembered that only a few weeks ago Herr Hochstetter was awarded the Geographical Society's gold medal in recognition of his New Zealand researches. News comes from Dresden of the marriage of Miss Edith Isabella Cracroft Wilson, eldest daughter of Mr Frederick Herbert Wilson, of Cashmere, New Zealand, to Mr E. G. Woodhouse, of Lincoln's Inn. The wedding took place at the British legation. Mr W. H. Lingard has been engaged by the Alhambra management to play Capt. Crosstree in the revival of Burnand's burlesque, "Black eyed Susan." The "Referee" reminds theatre-goers that Lingard "did" Grecian statues at the Alhambra in its old music hall days, more than twenty years ago. The Royal Geographical Society have just issued a bibliography of New Guinea, which is likely to be extremely useful in your part of the world. It is collated by Mr E. C. Ryo. Mr W. P. Morgan, a Queensland mineowner, now in England, has patented a process for extracting gold with pyrites, which promises to supersede all present methods. There is an exhaustive aiticle on the subject in the " Journal of Science" for July. Mr Morgan, who has already entoredintoarrangements with the principal Indian mines, returns to Australia next week. He hopes great things from the introduction ot his piocess in Australia and Now Zealand. Mr Geo. Rignold sails for Melbourne to-day, taking with him tho following London successes for production in Australia and New Zealand, viz.: — The popular Adelphi melodrama, "In tho Ranks ;" the Hayinarket comedy, "Lords and Commons;" the Vaudeville success, "Confusion," now approaching its 600 th night ; and last, but not least, "Called Back." Mr Rignold will engineer G. A. Sala's antipodean tour, and has arranged with Mr Lawrence Barrett, the American tragedian, for a visit in May next. Lord Normanby was entertained at dinner by the Empire Club on Thursday evening last, Lord Bury presiding. In replying to the toast of his health, he said he appreciated the connection of the colonies with the mother country as strongly as anyone in the colonies or in tho mother country, lie believed that a mutual benefit was derived from that connection, which he trusted might never bo broken. The colonies managed their own local affairs, spent their own money, and ruled their own country in the way they thought best. They were, in fact, republics possessing moro freedom than any in the world, without the disadvantages attaching to republicanism. He believed there was no prospect of any immediate rupture of the Union. " Truth " does not approve of Lord Normanby being feted and complimented in the exaggerated way he has been lately. Mr Labouchere wants to know what the noblo marquis has done, beyond drawing a Fat salary, saving up money, and fulfilling very ordinary offices in a very commonplace manner. Mr H. Handyside, a New Zealand settler at present visiting England, was married the other day at Perth to Miss Campbell, daughter of the late Col. Campbell, a wellknown Peninsula veteran. Capt. Colbeck has not as yet commenced ictivo action in the business which brought him home. He is at present staying with liis brother at Alvethorpe, near Wakefield. The City of Dunedin Suburban Gas Company scrip is going off capitally. Out of 7,500 shares offered, 5,000 have been applied for and allotted. The London Contract Association took up 2,500. Sir John Hall docs not intend to intermeddle with politics during his coming business visit to the colony. Mr Arthur C. Purchas,M.B M of Auckland, lias successfully passed his M.R.C.S. eximination. Mr Thomas Prosser, writing from Auckland to the "Boot and ShoeTiades Gazette,' 1 warns bootmakers against emigrating te New Zealand. He says there are at piesent in Auckland enough in the trade to supply i city half as large again, and that profits ire cut down to the lowest possible rate. Mr Kerry Nicholl&'s book on the "King Country "is selling uncommonly well. The 3t. James's " Gazette" of Tuesday contained i two-columns review of a very complimen tary character.

Shipping and Passenger Notes. Tho cholera scare is proving of immense service to the New Zealand Shipping Company. The Aorangi, which leaves next Thursday, is already quite full in all three classes, and the Doric, which does not sail for five weeks, has all her second cabin berths booked, whilo the first saloon and third-class are nearly full too. The Orient Company's steamer Liguria, which left London on the 23rd July, takes the following through passengers to New Zealand :— For Auckland : Mr Cohen. For Wellington : Mrs Nicholls. For Lyttleton : Mr and Mrs Widdowson. For Nelson : Mrs O'Connor, Mrs OBrien, and Mrs Fitzgerald. The Agent-General informs me that the Doric, which leaves on the 28th August, will take about 120 nominated emigrants, chiefly single women, for all ports. Among the passengers per Aorangi is Mr Kennedy, a gentleman of considerable means, who intends to settle in the neighbourhood of Auckland.

Tawhiao's Meetings. Tawhiao and his chiofs have at length accomplished their desire. On Tuesday afternoon last they attended at the Colonial Office, and, supported by a deputation of some fifty gentlemen, laid before Lord Derby and the Hon. Evelyn Ashley (Undersecretary) a memorial setting forth their complaints and suggesting means for re dress. The interview— which was more formal and impressive than such conferences usually are — passed off fairly satisfactorily. The London papers condemn ! Lord Derby for not promptly and definitely promising justice should be done, but even the Maoris themselves scarcely expected that. They seemed, indeed, well pleased with their reception, and both at the time and afterwards referred hopefully to the Secretary of State's, somewhat vague pledges. I arrived at the Colonial Office about half-past two, and found the deputation assembling in a wait-ing-room, and the Rev. Mr Spencer collecting signatures for the introductory memorial of the Aborigines Protection Society. Looking around for familiar faces, I dis covered" none. As a matter of fact, with the exception of Mr G. W. Rusden, there was not a notable colonist present. Members of Parliament abounded. Amongst others I noticed Mr Gorst, Sir Geo. Campbell, Sir J, Wt Pease, Mr Bryce, Mr Cremor

Clarke, Mr Cropper, Mr Leathara, Mr Alex McArthur, Mr George Palmer, Mr A Pease, Mr Tomlinson, and Dr. Webster. ] also noticed Mr Torrens, Dr. Hyde Clarke, Mr Douglas Gordon (nephew of SiJ A. Gordon), Mr Louis Morris, Mr A, S. Rathbone, Genoral Tremenheeve, Mi Octavious Morgan, and Mr Edwin Preston, At three o'clock, a private secretary announced that Lord Derby would receive the deputation, and we hustled along the corridor into a large reception room. Here the Secretary and Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies greeted us, shaking hands with the Maoris and the M.P.'s, and bowing to the general company. There were chairs for everybody, and we soon settled down, the natives dispobing themselves on a sofa at one end of the semi-circle, and the liev. Mr Spencer (the interpreter) standing beside Tawhiao. Lord Derby was in an easy chair at his desk, with Mr Ashley and one of the permanent heads of the Colonial Offico behind him. He listened attentively to the speeches, mado occasional notes in poncil on the back of the memorial, and smiled furtively at the Maoris. To look at his lordship's bull-dog jowl and stern mien, you would take him to be the most determined and obstinate of men, instead of (as he really is) the most vacillating and uncertain. Experienced persons who want to get something out of the Colonial Office know better than to approach the Secretary of State. They either lay tholr cabe before the active Under-Secretary (Mr Ashley), or else enlist the kindly offices of Lady Derby. Mr Gorst introduced the Maoris to Lord Derby, and pleaded their cause in a long speech, the substance of winch will be found beneath. He spoke well and forcibly, making the most of the data at his command, and urging with considerable eloquence the rights of the natives to home rule in their own particular districts. His assertion that a clause in the Constitution Act would enable the Government to create a district within which the Maoris could enjoy practical independence over the heads of all colonial authorities, though received with scepticism, created a marked impression. Lord Derby asked whether he ad understood the speaker correctly, and, when tho statement was repeated, made t-ome voluminous notes. Mr Gorst wound up by earnestly appealing to the Government not to refer the Maoris back to the Colonial Executive. If they had been able to obtain justice in New Zealand, they would never have come to England. When this speaker sat down, Mr Chesson called upon Tawhiao to address Lord Derby. After being reassured and encouraged by Mr Spencer, tho poor old chiet rose tremblingly to his feet, and murmured some inaudible words in tho interpreter's ear. Though his remarks barely fill half-a-dozen lines in the " Times," they took more than ten minutes to deliver. At fh\?t not a syllable could be heard, but after the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the members of Parliament, and the pakehas present had all been exhaustively saluted and blessed, His Majesty plucked up courage, and standing erect, spoke out with considerable natural dignity. The champion effect of the afternoon, however, was created by Major To Wheoro. This chief was not in the least nervous. He rose to his feet without undue haste, saluted Lord Derby with a respectful bow, and spoke out distinctly. Very calmly yet very earnestly he described how he had given European land laws and land courts a fair trial, and found them wanting. Hoping to benefit his people and promote justice, he had allowed himself to be appointed first an assessor, then a commissioner, and lastly an M.H.K., only to abandon each office in turn hopeless and disgusted. In despair he and his brother chiefs had now come to England to obtain justice from the Queen. The conclusion of this speech was greeted with a hearty round of applause. After the other chiefs had each said a few worels, Mr Kerry Nicholls got up and bore witness to the peaceful and picsperous condition of the King Country. He also described some of tho abuses arising from tho Lands Courts procedure, but averred that the Amendment Act passed in '82 would naturally modify them. Sir Joseph Pease and Mr Cropper, speaking on behalf of the Aborigines Protection Society, urged Lord Derby to do what he could for tho chiefs, and Mr Alex. McArthur (as one acquainted with New Zealand) admitted that there were many Maori grievances which required remedying. Lord Derby then replied. He said the deputation was, alike in regard to its composition and to the matter discussed, the most interesting and important which he had had the pleasure to receive in his office He need hardly say that he concurred in the sentiments expressed by his father 40 years ago, that a treaty is a serious and a binding thing, whether contracted with natives or with Europeans, and that the fact of its being contracted a\ ith natives does not in any degree lessen its validity or its importance. Where native andEuropean races aremixed together is not only frequently, unfortunately, but inevitably, a conflict of interests, and often a conflict of ideas, each party wishing the administration to be carried on upon its own ideas, and 'believing justice to be on their side. It is inevitable that many complications and many disputes must arise where on the one part it is claimed that land can only be held by the tribe, and cannot be parted with except with the consent of the tribe ; and where, on the other hand, the European theory of individual holding of land is accepted. There is another difficulty in connection with this question, a very great one. New Zealand is very far off. It U tho experience of all the world that countries cannot be effectually administered by persons at a distance, and that the wish of the inhabitants must he consulted. In accordance with that view, the Crown and and the Government of this country many years ago handed over to the inhabitants of New Zealand an almost entire power of managing their own affairs. Consequently it is for us a very difficult and a very complicated matter to interfero in questions which we have practically, whether legally or not, handed over for many years past to be dealt with by local authority. It has been said by one speaker here that the object of this deputation was to obtain home rule for the natives in certain districts of New Zealand where they still retain their lands ; and Mr Gorst has told us that there is legal power in the Crown to reserve certain districts for natives and to separate them from the ordinary administration of the colony by an Order-in-Council, without reference to the local legislature. He (Lord Derby) was not at all prepared, without further consideration, to admit its legality, and, as all of us know, there are many things in a country and a Government like ours which, though they may be strictly legal, are >et so contrary to constitutional practice and to that which has been so many years understood to be the law, that it would be very difficult to act upon them, whatever the state of the law may be. He was quite sure it will be more in the interests of the Maoris, as well as of the Europeans, that they should not remain forming separate communities within one island, but that, as fai as may be, not necossarily in hastenot at once, but in the end— that they should live under one law and be subject to the same rules. With regard to the various statements of fact and to the.

various demands made in this memorial, it would be necessary, before he could express any opinion on this paper, to refer it to tbe Government of New Zealand, and to hear what answer they have to give in regard to those matters as to which, it is said, that they have done injustice or suffered it to be done. He did not say it merely as a means of delay, nor tosavethe Government thetrouble of going into these questions now ; but they would seriously consider and give their best attention to the complaints made, and when they hear what is said on the other side and what answer is given to those complaints, will, as far as their power goes, endeavour to do justice. The Maori chiefs then presented Lord Derby with a couple of mats, one made out of New Zealand flax and the other of dog's hair, and a whalebone weapon.

Tawhiaos Thought-Reading Seance. A most extraordinary scene took place at Demetre House on Friday afternoon last, when Mr Irving Bishop, the notorious " thought-reader," called to pay his respects to Tawhiao, and was persuaded by Mrs St. Bury to give the Maoris some manifestations of his remarkable " power." To begin with, Skidmore hid a pin in the velvet-cover of the mantelpiece, Bishop, meanwhile, being blindfolded in another apartment. When the thought-reader was brought in he seized Skidmore's hand, and after dragging him first in one direction, then in another, made for the mantelpiece and at once found the pin. Tawhiao now offered to hide something, and left the room for thepurpose When he returned, Bishop commenced the usual perambulations, but soon showed he was puzzled. First he made for the King's mouth, but, finding nothing there, tried his waistcoat pocket. This also proved futile, and so did an examination of his trousers. Bi&hop then declared Tawhiao was not concentrating his mind on the article. The King persisted he had thought of it um'emittingly. Bishop therefore confessed himself beaten, and the Maoris smiled at us tiiumphantly. "What was it?" we asked breathlessly. " \ button," said Tawhiao. "Where is it?" cried Bishop. "Here !" replied the merry monarch, slapping his ample paunch. He had swallowed it ! After this Bishop tried to read the number of a banknote, but without success. His performances are very unequal. The Maoris, I need scarcely say, were delighted \a ith the whole business. They bade Bishop farewell most cordially, pressing him repeatedly to visit them again. This he good-naturedly said he would do.

Tawhaio and Lady Brassey. On Friday evening the Maoris, at the invitation of Sir Thomas and Lady Brassey, attended the annual conversazione of Working Men's Clubs and Institutes at South Kensington Museum. The Hungarian Band was in attendance, together ■with a capital troupe of Lancashire Bell-ring-ers. The latter proved a source of ecstatic delight to Te Wheoro and Tavvhiao. The former pronounced their playing even preferable to his adored baiTel-organ, and the latter would much have liked to throw off his " company " manners and danced. Lady Brassey showed the Maoris as much attention as her duties (those of lady patroness) would permit. They seem all to have been rather " struck " by her. The talented author of "A Voy ago in the Sunbeam " wears jewels qalove on great occasions, and dresses just a little showily. She is, in point of fact, just the sort of grande dame to impress a Maori. Lady Brassey wanted the King to go on with her to supper in Park Place after the conversazione, but the monarch was tired, and elected to go home to bed instead. He soon gets boi'ed. On Saturday morning Mr Spencer took Hori, Topia, and Skidmore to the Natural History Museum at South Kensington. A gigantic stulFed gorilla nearly frightened old Hori into a fit, and both chiefs were much perturbed when Mr Spencer drew their attention to the famous antedeluvian skeletons. On Sunday the Maoris spent the day smoking and gossiping at Demetre House. They have quite given up going to church.

The Maoris at Hastings. On Wednesday evening the Maoris visited the Savoy Theatre, and witnessed "Princess Ida," the gorgeous mounting of which pleased them greatly. Yesterday they went down to Hastings with Mr Spencer, and spent the day at Normanhurst, Sir Thomas and Lady Brasseys wonderful country house. I have not been able to see them since. Old Hod and Topia have left Dometre House to lodge with Young, the King's favourite tailor, who has promised to feed them for 5s a week less than Mrs Saintsbury. Mr Chesson is trying to persuade them to come back again. May all, the famous Bond-street photographer, took porti-aits of Tawhiao and his chiefs, singly and in a group, on Monday. Mr Chesson thinks it probable that the Colonial Office wili offer to entertain the Maoris for the remainder of their stay in England, and appoint an official to look after them and show them round. Tho Maoris have received invitations to visit the model farm of Mr James Howard and the country seat (near Middlesboro') of Mr Theo. Fry, M.P.

The Frozen Meat Trade. The frozen meat trade continues in a sadly depressed state. The arrival of five meat ships simultaneously has swamped the market with New Zealand mutton ; in fact (as I told you last week), many salesmen will take any price to get rid of it. The nominal top rate at present is sdlb. Some few of the Oamaru's carcases turned out bad. I have not heard the supposed cause. The cheese sent over per British King was first-rate, and fetched 60s per cwt., a better price than prime American. A very important meeting of New Zealand gentlemen interested in the frozen meat trade took place at the Agent-General's offices on Friday last, with a view to providing further facilities (such as a thawing chamber) for regular importers. Sir F. D. 801 l presided, and amongst those present were Messrs Studholme, Chambers, Peter Cunningham, Cowlishaw, Douglas, McLean, Clifford, Rich, the Hon. Mr Peters, and Sir John Hall. Messrs Clifford (son of Sir Charles Clifford), Studholme, and Peters were appointed a Committee to inquire into the matter, and confer with the importers. The meeting then adjourned till Saturday next (to-morrow), when a number of the principal importers will be present.

Conference on Imperial Federation. I have received an invitation to a " Conference on Imperial Federation" which is to take place at the Westminster Palace Hotel on Tuesday next, the 29th instant. The Secretary (Mr Francis Labillie're), in enclosing the card, says— "Those invited have to be informed that by accepting they will be understood to pledge themselves to the principle that the unity of the Empire shall bo permanently maintained." Many colonists from all parts of the world have expressed sympathy, including Sir Henry Parkes, Sir Thomas Mcllwraith, Mr J. B. Patterson, Mr Thomas Archer, and Mr TV". Gisborno. Of English publics men who accept the basis and have promised to attend the Conference are Right Honourables W. E. Forster, W. H. Smith, Goschen, and Sir M. Hicks-Beach, Mr J. Cowen, "Lords Shaftesbury, Rosebery, and Dunraven, and Professor Bryce,